A Flower-Lined Path (C)

A pale golden sun had just begun to rise above the clouds as Basilbloom set out from camp with Duskflight by her side, a carefully constructed pack made from beech leaves and bindweed hanging from around her neck that was stuffed full of useful everyday herbs.  Goldenrod, cobwebs, dock, horsetail, marigold, and most importantly to her traveling herbs.  This would be a hard expedition for the frail medicine cat, and she acknowledged that; in preparation, she was bringing plenty of chamomile, and already had several small flowers tucked behind her ears for the first day of traveling.  Taking one last look back at her tidy den, the tortoiseshell medicine cat nodded at her dark-furred companion as they slipped out into the daylight.  Knowing that the other clans would expect to travel during the day, they had bid farewell to her family and friends the evening before and slept through the night, so that she and Duskflight would be on the same schedule as their traveling companions.  Casting fond looks over at the leader and warrior dens, she wished she could get one last cuddle in with her parents and siblings before going but she held back.  They needed to get going or she would be late for her own expedition.

Traveling through the familiar frozen marsh made her realize how much she was going to miss being in ShadowClan territory for the foreseeable future, and it almost brought a tear to her eye.  This was her home, her beloved haven, but she knew that the only way to find out what StarClan had in store for her she would have to say goodbye for now.  Sniffing back her emotions, she simply rubbed her body up against a short pine tree, a lasting marker of her presence that she left behind before they crossed the border.  Dashing across the Thunderpath left her a bit breathless, and she chose to walk the rest of the way to Fourtrees.  She hadn't taken any traveling herbs yet despite offering them to Duskflight, knowing that eating them later would make them last longer, and so she endured.  Finally, she rounded the hill above Fourtrees and looked down, trying to catch sight of any of her fellow medicine cats.  Not seeing them yet, she settled down under the Great Rock to wait, paws patting down the snow before disturbing it once more.  Today is the day...now just to see who exactly I'll be traveling with!  Turning to Duskflight, she purred quietly, voice still a bit thick and sleepy.  "Thank you again for agreeing to come with us Dusk, I'm looking forward to seeing who the other representatives will be."

To say that Beechfang had been skeptical when Muddythorn and Bloodstar had returned to camp and informed her of the supposed dream from starclan that Basilbloom claimed to have was an understatement. Her skepticism was written all over her face as she made her way to fourtrees in silence. She liked Basilbloom, but the notion of starclan wanting to help the clans with finding some unfamiliar, completely unknown plant, by having the clans send their medicine cats to twolegplace was asinine. Even more asinine in the middle of such a harsh leafbare, when her clanmates grew skinnier by the day even with their territory and sickness crept in with the cold and snow. Who even knew what this supposed plant would help with, assuming it could be found.

If this was a ploy by Shadowclan to get the other clans to send away their medicine cats, apparently it had worked. Stars above, what was Muddythorn thinking? What was Bloodstar? Not that Beechfang expected the brightest decisions from her father on a good day, but he'd... Improved a little after becoming leader. This however, made no sense to the former medicine cat.

Why did she have to go, anyways? Did the clan just want her gone? Primroselight knew twolegplace just as well as she did. If Smokefeather hadn't been injured and retired, she could've done it. Or Bloodstar himself, though with Skyclan lacking a medicine cat for the foreseeable future, there was sense in him staying behind. Hopefully the tom had the good sense tho not get himself killed before they made it back.

Beechfang's ears flattened as she entered fourtrees, casting a baleful glance toward the treacherous tree branches overhead. A lone figure sat beneath the great rock, and with a reluctant huff, Beechfang padded forward. At least she liked the Shadowclanner, she couldn't say the same of certain others that would be joining them.

"Basilbloom." Beechfang greeted the little tortoiseshell with a polite dip of her head. The others hadn't arrived yet, go figure. "Do you really think this is a wise idea?" Her tone wasn't accusatory, but Beechfang made no attempt to hide her skepticism. "I've never come across a herb like what was described in twolegplace. Are you sure about this?" It had been a long time since Skyclan had made twolegplace their makeshift home... Beechfang wasn't particularly eager to go back for what wasn't just a quick trip to fetch catmint from a nest close to the fence. Especially not in the middle of leafbare, when Skyclan needed every capable hunter that it could get.

If this was what she needed to do to prove herself though... Then fine. She'd made the trek out here, after all. Though the medicine cats could have saved the Skyclanners the trouble of making the extra trip and met them on the border, instead. Of course, that would've been too easy.

Dovefrost approached the slowly growing group of cats, it seemed that Skyclan was here as well, but none of the others have appeared yet.. Though it was only a matter of time. The large white tom made his way over, sticking near Beechfang, being the most comfortable with her at this time.

"Greetings." He said to the two cats, dipping his head at the same time. "I know we are taking a chance Beechfang, but I'm sure we will find something." He said to his Skyclan friend. "Believe me, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't worth it to me." Hopefully the she-cat would have a little faith in him, one thing for certain, he was glad for her company.

While her paws followed Dovefrost along the familiar path to Fourtrees, Thrushnose’s mind lingered back home. An unfamiliar herb with an unknown purpose in an unfamiliar territory. If she’d heard about it just two moons earlier, she would have dismissed it outright; no matter how interesting it sounded, it was a risk ThunderClan didn’t need and couldn’t afford. Then leaf-bare’s winds started forcing patrols to turn back early. What little prey they brought home was thinner than their Clanmates, and more often than not had been torn out of some desperate predator’s mouth. They couldn’t challenge SkyClan or RiverClan for better hunting grounds; their neighboring Clans’ warriors outnumbered ThunderClan’s two to one, and were better fed to boot. Not to mention their (apparently shared) propensity for cold-blooded murder.

Something had to give. Had to, before ThunderClan itself did. This herb, if it existed, wouldn’t stop Thrushnose’s family from starving, but it might give them strength to outlast the season and the wolves at their borders. She’d hung higher hopes on worse ideas. And if it turned out the ShadowClanner’s dream was just a dream, it didn’t have to be a waste. An alliance. Insight into their neighbors’ strengths and weaknesses. The other Clans’ pity, if that was what it took to save her own. She would not come home empty-pawed.

The gnarled branches overhead gave way to a bleak sky, and Thrushnose’s heart curled in her chest. They were here. For better or for worse. While Dovefrost strode forward to greet the trio of cats at Fourtrees’ center, she hung back, scanning the clearing. It was still mostly empty, but… Five Clans. Two representatives each. She hadn’t felt so out of place since her first night under the Great Rock. She took a breath. Then she approached the small crowd beneath the Great Rock. At the first break in the conversation, she hazarded an introduction—“I’m Thrushnose, ThunderClan”—and backed off just as quickly, though her gaze stuck on the group with equal parts discomfort and open interest.

He had to make sure to have said his goodbyes, temporarily leaving the familiar marshlands to set off to a new journey elsewhere. His friends, whom he considered just as close as a family would be needing this special herb, and he was no less ecstatic to have been chosen by Basilbloom to have accompanied her. Traveling in broad daylight was something he wasn't very used to, although he wouldn't complain. The traveling herbs that Basilbloom gifted him were greatly appreciated, even as it left him puzzled from why she wouldn't take her own. Taking in a deep breath, he offered her an encouraging smile, hoping out that things would go just as planned. "Of course, Basilboom. I'm certainly curious, too." Soon, over the rising horizon, more and more figures started to appear— first approaching was a pale she-cat. Quietly, he greeted her back with a small nod, hesitant of how to react. She seemed much serious. Skeptical, even. Although that was to be expected.

Then another approached. Unfamiliar faces, although some seemed to have recognized others. He didn't, though. With the white-pelted cat's words, he hoped that the tom would've been able to at least slightly encourage the striped molly, as he held much hope for their journey. After all, this was to benefit all the clans who accompanied them, wasn't it? Then, another one. A pale-colored tabby, who just seemed to have introduced herself as 'Thrushnose'. Perhaps, she seemed the most approachable of them all.. or at least, that was to him. Certainly, more warriors were yet to arrive, and he'd eagerly wait for them to come. "Greetings, too. I'm Duskflight," He introduced himself, a calm expression showing itself through his smile. SkyClan and ThunderClan were the only cats who have arrived, meaning RiverClan and WindClan were the only clans left that they should be continuing to wait for. Who else will soon arrive, I wonder?

Timbersun wasn't sure if he was ready to leave. He had his family- his friends- and Hentooth was finally back. When he was first asked to go on the trip, he immediately agreed. But now, that the day had finally arrived. He wasn't so sure anymore. Ashfall was coming, too, and he was happy she was. He couldn't bare to be the only Windclan cat there, or... stars forsaken... With his brother. (Yuck!)

Managing to swallow any doubt, he made his way towards fourtrees, a little nervous? No, a lot nervous. It was important. He should be honoured to be there. But instead... he was kind of scared. Many things could go wrong. Not many clan cats knew how to navigate twolegplace (was the herb even there? He wasn't told much), and those that could, surely their memories would be foggy? Even with all his doubts circling around in his head, he still pushed on and eventually made it to Fourtrees. "Hello everyone. Uh.. I'm Timbersun of Windclan... and I think I should've eaten before this..." He sat down, curling his tail over his big paws. "Are we sure this is real? I'm not saying that I doubt you, Basilbloom, it's just, there's very little to go off of, and there's many ways a cat could get hurt." Timbersun explained. He knew a bit about losing body parts, and for sure, dogs could be ruthless (they had plenty around twolegplace, he knew it.) "Also, quick question, will we be hunting?" He thought he might as well add that, he didn't know how long the journey would take.

Muddythorn walked beside Beechfang on the route towards Fourtrees. His old mentor seemed very hesitant, and he was surprised she had agreed to join the patrol - the ex-medicine cat wasn't normally the most willing to believe in Starclan's wishes. Either way, it was nice to have a cat he knew well, even if the health of the clan who they were gone worried him. He had managed to squeeze in some quick healing crash-courses for a few warriors, but none of that could deal with anything serious.

Some of the group had already gathered together, warriors and medicine cats alike. Muddythorn greeted them, interested to see new faces he hadn't met before in the other clans' representatives. If they were going on this journey together, he might as well get to know them. "Hello everyone!" He said cheerfully, decidedly staying out of the discussion about how legitimate the mission was. Just like everyone else, he had his doubts, but as long as he didn't think about them, they didn't worry him that much.

The morning they were set to leave, Cloverheart was grumpier than ever. There was some warmth of hope trying to unfurl in her chest, hope that there was weight to Basilbloom's dream, that this trip wouldn't be for nothing. But as she rose with the dawning sun, she couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was just around the corner, as if the second she stepped paw out of camp a clan of badgers would descend on them and leave RiverClan torn to shreds.

The warrior's den stretched in front of her. When did I come over here...? No matter. Ebonyhaze was waiting for her, so she quietly ducked inside to wake him.


The walk to Fourtrees was quiet, mostly to spare Ebonyhaze from listening to her grumbling. Trudging through the snow was hard on everyone, but once she pushed out of camp, the thicker drifts pulled her breath away in an instant, leaving her sore and tired two steps out. But there was no turning back now, and as Cloverheart surveyed the clearing, it looked like most of the travelers had already arrived. Particularly... SkyClan had beaten her here. Tail flicking, she gave her partner a look before descending to join the group. "Hello Basilbloom, Muddythorn." Cloverheart flicked her attention towards Dovefrost, but any warm greeting stopped short. A withered look towards Beechfang, then she turned her attention to the cats she didn't know.

"And hello to the rest of you too. I hope we find what we're looking for." A polite nod to ShadowClan's medicine cat, then Cloverheart settled back onto her haunches. Then, quietly to Ebonyhaze, "Those are the other medicine cats. Basilbloom and Muddythorn are good cats. Dovefrost– that big white cat, over there –is ThunderClan's medicine cat." A comment about his friendship with Beechfang burned on her tongue, but this was no time for being bitter, so Cloverheart put her attention towards keeping her hackles flat and waiting for the group to depart.

Ashfall wasn't the most... social of cats. She hadn't wanted to leave Windclan either, not with Dayspring so sick. Yet maybe, just maybe, this herb could help her get better. Help her come back to her alive and well. The light of her life was dying out, and all she wanted was to keep it alive, even if it was just a little longer. So she lagged behind Timbersun, her limp evident in the snow that she pushed through. However long this journey would be, it would be hard with her permanent injuries, yet not impossible. Besides, she wasn't about to quit just because it would be hard.

Her one eye narrowed as they approached, immediately seeing the large, pale form of Beechfang. The last thing she needed was her Skyclan relatives on this journey, especially that one. She supposed it was better than Bloodstar himself though. The rest were cats that she didn't quite know, and she dipped her head to them respectfully. Timbersun immediately launched into nervous chatter, and she gently rested her tail on his back. "Ashfall of Windclan, good to meet you all." Serious as usual, and tense as well. The molly couldn't help it, not with Skyclan there... though at least Riverclans maimed medicine cat was there... Cloverheart. She couldn't help but have an admiration for her, after speaking out against Skyclan at the gathering and surviving Wolfstar's onslaught. Whatever happened, this would be an interesting trip.

When he was asked to come along on a journey, ecstatic was an understatement. He always wanted to travel outside of Riverclan territory, though it felt a bit traitorous to say so. Abandoning his duties to fulfill some need for adventure wasn't very warrior-like. Where would he go anyway? Trespass on another clan's territory? Get lost where no clan-cat had ever gone before? This was the only way to feed his curiosities, and he was beyond honored Cloverheart allowed him to do so.

However, Ebonyhaze couldn't help but feel nervous about traveling with so many cats, all of which he didn't know besides Cloverheart. He rarely went to gatherings, all the cats were intimidating, and how he was being grouped with that was basically a mini gathering. He tried to pose it as a chance to practice his social skills, but as they reached fourtrees, he instinctively kept quiet and close to his medicine cat companion. Some cats looked more approachable than others, and Cloverheart seemed to be tense around one of them. Perhaps it would be good to get a sense of these cats before attempting to initiate a conversation with one of them. It... totally wasn't because he was procrastinating...

Ebonyhaze made mental notes as Cloverheart introduced the other medicine cats, trying to remember the influx of names. "Nice to meet you all. I'm Ebonyhaze." He offered a polite nod of greeting to the gathered cats, formally curling his tail around his paws as he sat.

Basilbloom smiled at her dark-furred companion, glad to have one of her clanmates by her side going into the unknown.  Rubbing the sleep from her eyes with a forepaw, she looked up to see the first two cats rounding the hill; Muddythorn and Beechfang.  As they approached the tortoiseshell medicine cat purred, returning Beechfang's nod.  "Good morning Beechfang, Muddythorn!"  However, her attention turned to the retired medicine cat, not surprised to hear her skeptical questions.  She had been hearing the same ones over and over again for the last half-moon and answered them with a smile.  "I'm sure.  I know it sounds crazy, but I trust what I saw and felt.  This flower will be important somehow, the only way we'll know exactly is if we find it.  I appreciate you coming with us, your knowledge of Twolegplace will be a big help.  Once everyone is here I'll explain more, and we can make a plan for where to start."

It didn't take long for Dovefrost to arrive alongside a pale brown tabby and white she-cat who introduced herself as Thrushnose. Basilbloom didn't recognize her, she seemed around a similar age as her parents, but the medicine cat welcomed her with a purr and a friendly wave of her tail.  "It's nice to meet you Thrushnose, welcome!"  As Dovefrost sat with her and Beechfang she was glad for the tom's support and confidence, but his words also sent a tremor through her chest.  So much was riding on this journey, she would have to do everything in her power to make it worthwhile.  

Next came WindClan's two warriors, and Basilbloom recognized neither of them.  Now that she thought of it, the only WindClan cats she had ever spoken to were Goldenfang, Hentooth, and Berrypaw.  She greeted them with a wave of her tail, and purred as they introduced themselves; the brown and white tabby tom was Timbersun, and the scarred silver and white tabby she-cat was Ashfall.  "Hello, it's good to meet you both!"  The older she-cat seemed content with a simple greeting, however, the tom continued to ask about things ahead so Basilbloom turned her attention onto him.  "Oh yes, I'm quite sure that it's real!  That's why I feel that the risk is worth our potential reward.  We don't know what this plant will be or do, but the only way we'll know is if we find it.  Thank you for being willing to help us!"  Her understanding smile was cut off by a laugh; "We'll hunt later in the day, for now though take these!  They're traveling herbs, the same ones you probably had on your Moonstone journey.  They'll give you strength and curb your hunger."  Pulling the leaves out of her pack and placing them before Timbersun, she reminded herself to offer them to the others as well, just in case they hadn't taken their own.  She only had enough to last for the first day if every cat took a dose, but she supposed that they could either restock or do without going forward.  Depends on what they came across.

Last but not least came RiverClan, and Basilbloom greeted Cloverheart with a warm purr.  However, she couldn't help but notice the disdainful glare the usually friendly she-cat cast over Beechfang, and Basilbloom's brow raised a bit.  Did they have some sort of history together?  She knew that Beechfang wasn't exactly the most popular cat in the forest.  If so, she hoped that it wouldn't cause any fights or awkward tension.  "Hello Cloverheart, I hope so too."  Looking over, she greeted the RiverClan medicine cat's dark tabby companion with a warm smile as he introduced himself as Ebonyhaze.  "Nice to meet you Ebonyhaze, I like your name!  It's pretty, but mysterious too..."  She was letting herself get distracted, now that everyone was here, it was time to make a plan.  Standing up, Basilbloom padded to the front of the group and waved her tail to get everyone's attention.

"Hello everyone, my name is Basilbloom!  I'm the one who's gathered you all together today, and I know you all have a basic understanding of what we're going to be searching for.  About a half-moon ago now, I received a dream from StarClan about a mysterious flower which I believe is located in Twolegplace.  Its petals are purplish-pink, the seedhead pokes out above the petals, and it's about the size of a marigold bloom.  I saw it in the midst of a vast field, but it was accompanied by visions of Twoleg nests and Thunderpaths.  The dream wasn't clear about its use; this flower could be an herb, or it could be a poison.  We won't know until we find it and test it, however, I am optimistic that it will be useful to us in this cold leaf-bare.  In the days after the dream I had seen visions of the flower in the waking world, and I could also catch its scent on the breeze.  I'm confident that if we can find the field that I saw in the dream, we'll be able to find the flower."

She had to take a moment to catch her breath in the frosty air, but as she did she beckoned Beechfang forward with her tail.  "This is Beechfang, I'm sure you all know of her even if this is the first time you might've spoken.  She was a member of SkyClan when they were forced to take refuge in Twolegplace after a fire swept through their territory, and will be helping to guide us and advise us on where to go and what to avoid.  We will be working together; she as our physical guide, and I as a spiritual one, you could say.  So Beechfang, first thing first, where do you think we should start our search?"  Basilbloom's gaze swept briefly over Cloverheart, watching for a reaction whatever it might be.  This trip was too important to let old grudges or disagreements cloud their judgment; they needed to work together, even if hesitantly, for this quest to succeed.

It didn't take long after her and Muddythorn's arrival for others to start showing up. "Dovefrost, Thrushnose." She knew little about Thrushnose save for that she'd once been deputy. Had she hated the position as much as Beechfang hated being a medicine cat? Either way, the Thunderclanner seemed a respectable sort, and Beechfang considered Dovefrost a friend. "I hope you're right." She responded to Dovefrost, though she couldn't help her unease and discomfort.

The scent of Windclan saw one familiar face arriving alongside another tom. "Niece." She greeted Ashfall stiffly. They'd be headed to twolegplace... Hopefully her father wouldn't show up there... Or if he did maybe they could finally kill him.

Last to arrive was Riverclan, how typical. Beechfang met Cloverheart's glare unflinchingly, staring down at the other medicine cat impassively before turning her attention back to Basilbloom. She would not engage. She couldn't afford to. Much as she wanted to throw her off the gorge... No. She wouldn't do that. Not now, anyways. Still, her ears flicked back, the pale, scarred tabby not at all happy about Cloverheart's inclusion. Basilbloom spoke and explained, and she listened. She was called on to speak, and reluctantly stepped forward.

"Twolegplace... We'll need to find somewhere quiet to make our nests. There's an abandoned section that the twolegs and their dogs don't frequent much. Twolegplace itself tends to be crawling with rogues; thin, emaciated things, but mostly solitary ones. They shouldn't be too much of a problem for a group of cats if we run into any, at least. You can't go more than a few foxlengths without needing to cross a thunderpath in a lot of areas, either." She explained, recalling the time that Skyclan had spent in the abandoned twolegplace after the fire.

"As for the plant itself... I'd say we start with the gardens twolegs like to keep outside of their nests. Plenty of them keep dogs or kittypets, though. Not all the dogs are large beasts like the one we fought and killed... Hopefully we don't run into one that large." The medicine cats would stand no chance against such a thing, and simply put, Beechfang trusted no warrior's combat skills but her own. The only one that would fight like a proper Skyclanner would be Muddythorn. A sigh left her lips. Foxdung, but she was already tired.

"There's a very large garden, the plant could be there too... The place is absolutely swarming with twoleg kits and their dogs, even at night it's not entirely empty. We were there in the height of greenleaf, so it might be quieter now, though."

As Beechfang spoke about their destination Basilbloom felt a mix of exhilaration and anxiety rise up in her chest, but she hid it behind a thoughtful smile and understanding nods.  She trusted the older warrior to be able to help them through this confusing place, but she just hoped the rest of their group could do the same.  "Okay...I think we should head for that abandoned area first before we start searching for the flower, it could be a good spot to make camp for the night.  Tomorrow we could start our search in full."  However, Beechfang's words about a big 'garden' sent a jolt of curiosity running through her, and she wondered if that place could be what she saw in her dream.  She would ask about that later though, for now they were wasting daylight.

"It's time to go, if anyone needs traveling herbs I have some here, along with herbs for minor injuries or ailments."  Retrieving her pack from beside Duskflight, she pulled out her own set of strengthening herbs and crunched them between her teeth, ignoring the bitter flavor.  As well, she took a sprig of chamomile from behind her ear and ate that too, feeling the comforting sensation of a lighter chest.  The little white flower would be her savior on this trip, but she still expected to be lagging at the back for most of the walk.  Once any cats who needed herbs received them, Basilbloom wrapped the pack back around her neck and nodded to Beechfang.  It was time; their journey was truly about to begin.  As the patrol left Fourtrees and approached the SkyClan border, the tortoiseshell medicine cat stayed towards the rear, keeping watch while also preserving her energy.  Her heart wasn't acting up so far, but she didn't want to become a burden.  As the tall peaks of Twoleg nests drew closer and closer, the petite medicine cat suddenly felt very small.  I can do this...we can do this!  Smiling, she turned and purred to Duskflight; "Into the unknown we go!"